Jigawa State has taken a major step toward transforming Nigeria’s livestock and agricultural value chain with the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the cultivation of up to 100,000 hectares of alfalfa, one of the world’s most nutritious forage crops.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi presided over the signing ceremony, describing the initiative as one of the largest alfalfa production projects in Africa and a bold move to deepen livestock development, enhance food security, and attract large-scale agribusiness investment into the state.
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The agreement was reached following a visit by a high-powered delegation led by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa.
Other members of the delegation included the Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr. Abubakar Abba Bello; the Managing Director of MOFI, Dr. Armstrong Takang; the Managing Director of Jaiz Bank, Mr. Haruna Musa; as well as representatives of NSIA and private-sector partners such as Capemano, Alami Capital, EL-Meena Farms, Matura Farm, and others.
Speaking after the signing, Governor Namadi reaffirmed Jigawa State’s commitment to agriculture, describing it as the backbone of the state’s economy.
“Agriculture is the lifeblood of Jigawa. About 90 per cent of our people depend on it for their livelihood, and it contributes more than 50 per cent of our GDP. Any government that is serious about improving the lives of its people must prioritise agriculture,” the governor said.
He highlighted Jigawa’s growing profile as an investment destination, noting its ranking as the second-best state in Nigeria for ease of doing business and its leading role in crop production.
“We are number one in wheat production, and this year alone we cultivated 315,000 hectares of rice. Our plan to reach 500,000 hectares by 2030 remains firmly on track,” he added.
On livestock development, Governor Namadi described alfalfa production as a game changer, stressing that the state’s decision to create a Ministry of Livestock Development underscores its long-term vision for the sector.
“Livestock and agriculture go hand in hand. Jigawa hosts the largest livestock market in Africa at Maigatari, and this project will further strengthen our leadership in the sector,” he said.
The governor also expressed confidence in the project’s viability, citing the successful pilot undertaken by Matura Farm, which has already demonstrated the commercial and export potential of alfalfa production in Jigawa.
Assuring investors of government support, Governor Namadi pledged that the state would progressively make the full 100,000 hectares of land available, while also guaranteeing security, ease of operations, and policy stability.
“We are the most peaceful state in Nigeria today. Jigawa is safe, open for business, and ready to support investors through our one-stop investment platform, InvestJigawa,” he stated.
In his remarks, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa said the alfalfa initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority agenda on food security and expanded agricultural production, adding that the project is expected to commence immediately.
“Boosting agriculture to achieve food security is a key priority of the President’s agenda, and Jigawa’s investor-friendly environment makes it a natural home for this project,” Inuwa said.
Providing technical insight, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Professor Salim Mohammed, described alfalfa as a high-protein forage crop with the potential to significantly improve milk yield, meat quality, and overall livestock productivity.
He noted that the project would generate large-scale employment, explaining that over 150 youths could be engaged on just 1,000 hectares even before cultivation begins, with many more jobs created across irrigation, harvesting, processing, and marketing.
Professor Mohammed added that pastoral communities, particularly Fulani herders, would directly benefit from improved access to quality feed, while the state and country stand to gain from increased export earnings.
The multi-billion-naira project is expected to position Jigawa State as a leading hub for modern livestock feed production in Nigeria and West Africa, reinforcing its role in driving climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food systems.
